Note: Both coast live oak and tanoak are victims of Sudden Oak Death; tens of thousands of California trees have died as a result of the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, a fungus-like organism. See the California Oak Mortality Task Force for more information.

The live oaks of the West Coast can be difficult to identify to species. They are separated on the basis of acorn characteristics and leaf shapes and sizes, and include California scrub oak (Quercus dumosa), Engelmann oak (Quercus engelmannii), interior live oak (Quercus wislizeni), and canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepsis). Some of these species hybridize with gusto, complicating the identification process.

Habitat: Usually on dry soil; coastal California.

Stature: 50-75 feet high; to 3 feet in diameter; trunk often divided into several main limbs that spread outward, creating a very broad crown (up to 150 feet across).